Examination at Scene of Crime MCQ Quiz | Forensic Pathology

1. What is the most crucial initial duty of the first responding officer at a crime scene?

• Collect all visible evidence immediately
• Render medical aid to the injured and secure the scene
• Interview all witnesses present
• Notify the media about the incident

2. Locard’s Exchange Principle is fundamental to crime scene investigation. What does it state?

• Evidence must be processed within 24 hours.
• Every contact leaves a trace.
• The perpetrator always returns to the scene of the crime.
• All evidence is inherently biased.

3. Which crime scene search pattern is most effective for a large outdoor area like a field?

• Spiral search method
• Zone search method
• Grid or Line search method
• Wheel/Ray search method

4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining a “chain of custody”?

• To determine the monetary value of the evidence
• To document the chronological history and integrity of the evidence
• To speed up the analysis process in the lab
• To limit the number of people who see the evidence

5. How should blood-stained clothing be collected and preserved from a crime scene?

• Sealed wet in a plastic bag to preserve moisture
• Folded neatly and placed in an airtight container
• Air-dried completely and then packaged in a paper bag
• Immediately frozen to prevent degradation

6. The initial sketch of a crime scene, which is not to scale but contains accurate measurements, is called a:

• Finished sketch
• Projection sketch
• Rough sketch
• Blueprint sketch

7. The term ‘Algor Mortis’ is used by forensic investigators to refer to:

• The stiffening of muscles after death
• The pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body
• The post-mortem cooling of the body

• The decomposition of the body

8. What is the main purpose of placing a scale or ruler next to an item of evidence before photographing it?

• To provide a point of focus for the camera
• To indicate the relative size of the evidence
• To prove the evidence has not been moved
• To mark the evidence for collection

9. Which of the following is considered ‘trace evidence’?

• A firearm
• A bloody knife
• A single hair fiber or glass fragment
• A written document

10. The primary role of the forensic pathologist at the crime scene is to:

• Collect all physical evidence
• Interview suspects
• Provide an initial assessment of the post-mortem interval and potential cause of death
• Lead the entire crime scene investigation

11. What is the purpose of establishing inner and outer perimeters at a crime scene?

• To provide a staging area for media

• To control access, prevent contamination, and provide a work area for investigators

• To make the crime scene look larger for official reports

• To manage vehicle traffic around the scene

12. Livor mortis (lividity) becomes ‘fixed’ and does not blanch with pressure after approximately how many hours?

• 1-2 hours
• 3-4 hours
• 8-12 hours
• 24-36 hours

13. The most appropriate way to collect dry bloodstains from a non-absorbent surface (like a glass table) is by:

• Scraping the flakes into a plastic bag
• Using a sterile swab lightly moistened with distilled water
• Pouring alcohol over the stain and collecting the runoff
• Lifting it with adhesive tape

14. Which type of documentation should ideally be done first at a pristine crime scene?

• Sketching
• Evidence collection
• Videography and/or overall photography
• Note-taking

15. The ‘Zone Search Method’ is most suitable for which type of crime scene?

• A large, open field
• A vehicle
• A house or building with defined rooms
• An underwater scene

16. What is the primary reason for wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at a crime scene?

• To look professional for the media cameras
• To prevent contamination of the scene by the investigator and for personal safety
• To stay warm in cold weather conditions
• It is a legal requirement with no practical purpose

17. Which of the following is an example of ‘impression evidence’?

• A blood spatter pattern
• A handwritten ransom note
• A shoeprint in mud
• A fired bullet

18. Who is ultimately responsible for the crime scene and the investigation conducted there?

• The Forensic Pathologist
• The first responding officer
• The lead Investigating Officer or Detective
• The crime lab technician

19. When packaging a firearm found at a crime scene, the investigator should:

• Unload it and place the ammunition in the same box
• Place a pencil in the barrel to avoid contamination
• Secure it in a fixed position inside a box, and never by its grip or trigger

• Clean off any visible dirt before packaging

20. What is the most important piece of information to record when collecting an item of evidence?

• The time of day
• The name of the person who found it
• The exact location where it was found within the scene

• The weather conditions

21. ‘Rigor mortis’ refers to the post-mortem stiffening of muscles. When does it typically begin to appear?

• Immediately upon death
• Within 2-4 hours after death
• After 24 hours
• Only in cases of violent death

22. Which of the following should NOT be included in a crime scene sketch?

• Date, time, and location

• A compass indicating north

• Measurements and locations of evidence

• A potential suspect’s name and details

23. When photographing a crime scene, the photos should proceed from:

• Close-up shots to overall views

• Random shots of interesting items

• Overall views to mid-range to close-up shots

• Only the body and weapon should be photographed

24. A ‘druggist fold’ or ‘paper bindle’ is used for packaging:

• Firearms
• Blood-soaked garments
• Small items of trace evidence like hairs or fibers

• Large objects like a baseball bat

25. The final step before releasing a crime scene is to:

• Conduct a final walk-through to ensure nothing was missed

• Inform the property owner they can begin cleaning

• Hold a press conference at the scene

• Discard all used PPE at the scene